JOINT BASE MYER-HENDERSON HALL, Va. -- "I am fortunate to have served in two great armies," said Spc. Simon Davidson-Hood. "Not many people can say that they have served in the military for more than one country."
Born and raised in London, Davidson-Hood came from a long line of Englishmen and women who served in the military. Following in his family's footsteps, Davidson-Hood joined the British Army where he served for three years.
After his term in the British Army, Davidson-Hood traveled to many countries in pursuit of his education and finally settled in the United States. Even after earning his second masters degree from Michigan University, Davidson-Hood couldn't silence his passion for military duty.
"I wanted to get back in the Army," said Davidson-Hood, Continental Color Guard, 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard). "I can't really explain it, but I just knew that I had to do it."
As a British citizen, Davidson-Hood had the option of traveling back to England to serve in the British Army once again, but after falling in love, Davidson-Hood decided to stay local.
"After I married Caroline, I knew I couldn't break up the family to go back to London yet," Davidson-Hood said. "I appreciated her love and support in me joining the military."
Davidson-Hood thought he already had a good idea of what the U.S. Army was like, so in late 2010, he walked into an Army recruiter's station and enlisted.
"I knew that the largest army in the world was well trained, and that they worked with all the best equipment." Davidson-Hood said. "I also thought that Americans earned so many awards from the look of their uniforms. The British Army Soldiers didn't have as many awards for their uniforms."
Although Davidson-Hood thought basic training was going to be a difficult challenge for him to overcome because he was still considered a foreigner; not long after starting basic, Davidson-Hood quickly realized that many of his assumptions weren't true.
"Basic training wasn't that hard for me. We conducted a lot of physical training, and we wore clean crisp uniforms. I had to do all of these things when I was in the British Army. Our haircuts, on the other hand, were not as high and tight as the Americans," he said jokingly.
Davidson-Hood credits his drill sergeants for helping him through the experience.
"The quality of the drill instructors and the training was outstanding," said Davidson-Hood. "It was bloody brilliant."
His desire to become an American Soldier also allowed him to attain his citizenship the day before he graduated basic. As a result of his motivation and prior experience, Davidson-Hood thrived in basic training to graduate as an honor grad.
Now stationed at The Old Guard, Davidson-Hood said he is still proud of his decision to join the U.S. Army because of the opportunities that have come from it.
"I think that The Old Guard is a great place to be stationed," said Davidson-Hood. "The unit is so rich with history and that is what makes it special to me."
As a member of Continental Color Guard, Davidson-Hood displays the U.S. Army flag during major events in the Washington, D.C. region and around the world.
He went on to say that even though he has yet to deploy under any military, Davidson holds the act of service and deployment in high regard.
"It's just special to have the notion of service that you're prepared to help a complete stranger in a foreign land because your country needs you to. This is my home away from home," said Davidson-Hood. "That is something that has always appealed to me no matter the nation."
Davidson-Hood hopes is next assignment leads him to the capitol as an Army liaison for the chief of legislature counsel in Washington, D.C.